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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Knowledge and readiness for inter professional education and collaborative practice among undergraduate nursing students in a Middle Eastern country – A pilot study

Nurse Educ Today. 2021 Mar 11;100:104865. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104865. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inter Professional Education and Collaboration (IPEC) is grounded on mutual respect, enhances collaborative practice, and increases satisfaction among health care professionals.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and readiness for IPEC among nursing students.

METHODS: The student’s level of knowledge was assessed using a 20 item questionnaire while their readiness for IPEC was measured using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) comprising 19 items. A total of 125 nursing students participated in the study and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 DISCUSSION: The mean level of knowledge was 44.41 with SD of 4.72. The mean readiness score was 79.09 with the SD of 11.77. There is no significant association between the knowledge and readiness of nursing students regarding IPEC and their demographic variables at 0.05 confidence level.

CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the students had moderately adequate knowledge about IPEC and high level of readiness towards IPEC. This implies that when appropriately implemented, the students will reap the benefits of IPEC, which has the potential to improve their ability to provide holistic nursing care to their patients.

PMID:33740703 | DOI:10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104865

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Evaluating post-bronchodilator response in well-controlled paediatric severe asthma using hyperpolarised 129Xe-MRI: A pilot study

Respir Med. 2021 Mar 13;180:106368. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106368. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are the main objective measures used to assess asthma in children. However, PFTs provide a global measure of lung function. Hyperpolarised xenon-129 magnetic resonance imaging (129Xe-MRI) can assess lung function spatially. This cross-sectional cohort study aimed to evaluate the use of 129Xe-MRI in detecting ventilation abnormalities in children with well-controlled severe asthma pre- and post-bronchodilator (BD).

METHOD: Six healthy children (aged 11 ± 3) and six with well-controlled severe asthma (14 ± 1) underwent spirometry, multiple breath washout (MBW), and 129Xe-MRI. These tests were repeated post-BD in the asthma cohort. Image analysis was performed in MATLAB. Wilcoxon signed-rank test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: A significantly higher number of ventilation defects were found in the asthma cohort pre-BD compared to the healthy participants and post-BD within the asthma cohort (p = 0.02 and 0.01). A greater number of wedge-shaped defects were detected in the asthma cohort pre-BD compared to healthy participants and post-BD within the asthma cohort (p = 0.01 and 0.008, respectively). 129Xe ventilation defect percentage (VDP) and coefficient of variation (CoV) were significantly higher in the asthma cohort pre-BD compared to the healthy cohort (p = 0.006 for both). VDP and CoV were reduced significantly post-BD in the asthma cohort, to a level where there was no longer a significant difference between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSION: 129Xe-MRI is a sensitive marker of ventilation inhomogeneity in paediatric severe asthma and may potentially be used as a biomarker to assess disease progression and therapeutic response.

PMID:33740737 | DOI:10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106368

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Preliminary results on the occurrence and anatomical distribution of microplastics in wild populations of Nephrops norvegicus from the Adriatic Sea

Environ Pollut. 2021 Mar 9;278:116872. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116872. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study reports the shapes, dimensional classes, types and counts of microplastics (MPs) found in 23 individuals of N. norvegicus collected from two wild populations of the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean basin). The focus was on three different anatomical compartments (gut, hepatopancreas and tail), which were analysed separately. MPs were found in all the investigated individuals with an average of about 17 MPs/individual. Fragments were predominant over fibers with a ratio of about 3:1. The majority of MPs were in the dimensional range 50-100 μm. The predominant polymers were polyester, polyamide 6, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene, which together constitute about 61% of all the MPs found. Fragments were more concentrated in the hepatopancreas, with no significant difference between gut and tail, while fibers were more concentrated in the gut than in the tail with hepatopancreas somehow in between. The dimensional class of the MPs influences their anatomical distribution. There were no statistical differences among individuals from the two sampling sites. Sex of the individual did not influence the level of retained MPs, while length had a very marginal effect. The information reported here contributes to understanding of the possible risks linked to human consumption of different tissues from contaminated Norway lobsters.

PMID:33740599 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116872

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Adaptation and validation in Chile of the patient identification instrument needing palliative care: NECPAL-CCOMS-ICO 3.1©

Aten Primaria. 2021 Mar 16;53(4):101994. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2021.101994. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Adapt and validate the NECPAL instrument in Chile.

DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, analytical study for validation of the instrument in 5 stages: cultural adaptation, content validation, pilot test, application, and statistical analysis.

PLACE: Four primary care centers of the South East Metropolitan Health Service, in Santiago, Chile.

PARTICIPANTS: Primary health care physicians and nurses for cultural adaptation and application, and palliative care experts for content validation.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Cultural adaptation was carried out through cognitive interviews. Content validity was measured using Delphi method and the Lawshe content validity ratio (CVR) was obtained. In the pilot test, we measured stability (test-retest), inter judge harmony and application time in 14 chronic advanced patients (CAP). The test was applied to this same group, calculating the sample according to Nunally’s recommendation.

RESULTS: A sample of 118 CAP was obtained. The CVR was 0.75 and the average testing time was 6.7 min (SD = 4.01). The test-retest obtained a Kappa test concordance index between 0.632 and 1.0; and the interjudge harmony agreement between 0.192 and 0.692. The surprise question (PS) was positive in 20.3% of the sample. The main conditions associated with the disease-specific severity item, were fragility (23.7%), chronic heart disease (21.2%) and chronic lung disease (12.7%). The demand group and specific severity indicators obtained a greater predictive capacity of PS+, with an area under the curve of 0.808 (95% CI: 0.697-0.918).

CONCLUSIONS: NECPAL is feasible to be used in Chile, has adequate psychometric properties and will allow early detection of patients in need of palliative care.

PMID:33740612 | DOI:10.1016/j.aprim.2021.101994

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LI-RADS v2018 major criteria: Do hepatocellular carcinomas in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis differ from those in virus-induced chronic liver disease on MRI?

Eur J Radiol. 2021 Mar 11;138:109651. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109651. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: LI-RADS v2018 diagnostic system is used to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in at risk patients. However, its applicability to HCC in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has not been specifically studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability of LI-RADS v2018 diagnostic system for HCC in patients with NASH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MRI examinations of 41 patients with HCC and NASH (NASH group) were reviewed and compared to those obtained in 41 patients with HCC and virus-induced chronic liver disease (Virus group). MRI examinations of the two groups were compared for imaging presentation, LI-RADS major criteria and LI-RADS categorization. Qualitative variables were compared using Fisher exact test and quantitative variables using Mann-Whitney U test Interreader agreement was assessed using kappa statistic.

RESULTS: No significant differences in qualitative and quantitative variables were observed between the two groups. Most common findings in the two groups were hyperenhancement during the arterial phase and visibility on T2-weighted images (93 % vs. 98 %, P = 0.616 and 85 % vs. 88 %, P = 1.000 for NASH group and Virus group, respectively). No differences in prevalence between the two groups were found for any major LI-RADS v2018 criterion. Interreader agreement for LI-RADS categorization was strong for the NASH group (kappa = 0.802) and moderate for the virus group (kappa = 0.720). No differences were found between the two groups for LI-RADS categories (P = 0.303).

CONCLUSIONS: The LI-RADS v2018 diagnostic algorithm can be applied in patients with NASH.

PMID:33740627 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109651

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Modern CAD/CAM silicate ceramics, their translucency level and impact of hydrothermal aging on translucency, Martens hardness, biaxial flexural strength and their reliability

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2021 Mar 13;118:104456. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104456. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of hydrothermal aging on Martens parameter (Martens hardness: HM/elastic indentation modulus: EIT) and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of recently available CAD/CAM silicate ceramics.

METHODS: 220 specimens (diameter: 12 mm, thickness: 0.95 mm) were fabricated from six CAD/CAM ceramics in two translucency levels (LT/HT): (a) two lithium disilicate (Amber Mill, ABM; IPS e.max CAD, IEM), (b) one lithium metasilicate (Cetra Duo, CEL), (c) one lithium alumina silicate (n!ce, NIC), and (d) two leucite ceramics (Initial LRF Block, LRF; IPS Empress CAD, IPR). HM/EIT and BFS were measured initially and after hydrothermal aging (134 °C/0.2 MPa/100 h) in an autoclave. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test, t-test, one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Scheffé test, Kruskal-Wallis-test, Mann-Whitney-U-test with Bonferroni correction and Weibull statistics were performed (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: CEL and IEM showed the highest and the leucite ceramics the lowest Martens parameter. Within HT, ABM and NIC were in same initial HM value range with CEL and IEM. ABM and NIC showed lower initial EIT values than CEL and IEM, however higher than IPR. The lowest aged values were analyzed for ABM. After aging, Martens parameter decreased for LRF, ABM, and CEL. IEM showed the initial highest BFS, followed by ABM. NIC and LRF showed the lowest BFS. IEM and ABM presented the highest aged BFS. Hydrothermal aging increased BFS values for LRF (HT), IPR, CEL (HT), and NIC (HT) compared to the initial values. CAD/CAM leucite ceramics showed higher Weibull modul values compared to lithium silicate ceramics.

SIGNIFICANCE: The well-considered selection of ceramics in relation to the areas of indication has the highest influence on the long-term stability of restorations: CAD/CAM lithium disilicate ceramics presented the highest and leucite ceramics the lowest mechanical properties, whereas the reliability was better for leucite than for lithium silicate ceramics.

PMID:33740686 | DOI:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104456

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Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care in Detroit

Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Mar 11;46:90-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.03.025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Detroit, an earlier termination of resuscitation protocol was initiated in March 2020. To characterize pre-hospital cardiac arrest careduring COVID-19 in Detroit, we analyzed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) rate of ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) and patient characteristics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: OHCA data was analyzed between March 10th, 2020 – April 30th, 2020 and March 10th, 2019 – April 30th, 2019. ROSC, patient demographics, arrest location, initial rhythms, bystander CPR and field termination were compared before and during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics were utilized to compare arrest characteristics between years, and the odds of achieving vs. not achieving ROSC. 2020 vs. 2019 as a predictor for ROSC was assessed with logistic regression.

RESULTS: 471 patients were included. Arrests increased to 291 during the pandemic vs. 180 in 2019 (62% increase). Age (mean difference + 6; 95% CI: +2.4 to +9.5), arrest location (nursing home OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.42-4.31; public place OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25-0.88), BLS response (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.47-0.99), and field termination of resuscitation (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.36-4.07) differed significantly in 2020 compared to 2019. No significant difference was found in the confounder-adjusted odds of ROSC in 2020 vs 2019 (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.34-1.11).

CONCLUSION: OHCA increased by 62% during COVID-19 in Detroit, without a significant change in prehospital ROSC. The rate of ROSC remained similar despite the implementation of an early termination of resuscitation protocol in response to COVID-19.

PMID:33740572 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2021.03.025

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Impact of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on mortality during the COVID Pandemic among STEMI patients undergoing mechanical reperfusion: Insight from an international STEMI registry

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Mar 16;138:111469. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111469. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Concerns have been raised on a potential interaction between renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) and the susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). No data have been so far reported on the prognostic impact of RASI in patients suffering from ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during COVID-19 pandemic, which was the aim of the present study.

METHODS: STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and enrolled in the ISACS-STEMI COVID-19 registry were included in the present sub-analysis and divided according to RASI therapy at admission.

RESULTS: Our population is represented by 6095 patients, of whom 3654 admitted in 2019 and 2441 in 2020. No difference in the prevalence of SARSCoV2 infection was observed according to RASI therapy at admission (2.5% vs 2.1%, p = 0.5), which was associated with a significantly lower mortality (adjusted OR [95% CI]=0.68 [0.51-0.90], P = 0.006), confirmed in the analysis restricted to 2020 (adjusted OR [95% CI]=0.5[0.33-0.74], P = 0.001). Among the 5388 patients in whom data on in-hospital medication were available, in-hospital RASI therapy was associated with a significantly lower mortality (2.1% vs 16.7%, OR [95% CI]=0.11 [0.084-0.14], p < 0.0001), confirmed after adjustment in both periods. Among the 62 SARSCoV-2 positive patients, RASI therapy, both at admission or in-hospital, showed no prognostic effect.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to investigate the impact of RASI therapy on the prognosis and SARSCoV2 infection of STEMI patients undergoing PPCI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both pre-admission and in-hospital RASI were associated with lower mortality. Among SARSCoV2-positive patients, both chronic and in-hospital RASI therapy showed no impact on survival.

PMID:33740523 | DOI:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111469

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Poststratification as a suitable approach to generalize findings of two cross-sectional studies along the Bavarian compulsory school entrance examination: An exemplary poststratified analysis for asthma, hay fever and wheezing

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2021 Mar 16;234:113718. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113718. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A compulsory school entrance examination of pre-school children (SEU) is administered in the German state of Bavaria. Every second year since 2004, the examinations are expanded in six study regions using a cross-sectional survey design (GME). However, the extent to which the results of the GME surveys are generalizable to the SEU population is unknown. Therefore, this study carried out a poststratification of two different GME surveys. The aim was to observe the impact of poststratification on an exemplary analysis of influencing factors for three allergy and asthma related outcomes (hay fever, asthma, wheezing) and thus to better understand this important question.

METHODS: First, poststratification was applied to correct for deviances of the GME sample in comparison to the SEU population. Logistic regression was used to determine the auxiliary variables for the poststratification. Following this, a composite variable as a linear combination was created to calculate weighting factors. Next, logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze possible influencing factors for three allergy and asthma related outcomes (hay fever, asthma and wheezing) in two GME surveys (2005/2006 and 2012/2013). Subsequently, the differences arising from poststratification were examined in more detail.

RESULTS: This study supports the hypothesis that the GME sample deviates from the SEU population. Mother tongue other than German of at least one parent, complete vaccination status and conspicuous visuomotor test results were positively associated with participation in both GME surveys. The prevalence for hay fever, asthma and frequent wheeze did not change statistically significant from 2005/2006 to 2012/2013. In the twelve analyses before and after poststratification, male sex was statistically significant associated with the three allergy and asthma related outcomes (e.g. asthma 2005/2006 after poststratification, aOR: 2.06, 95%-CI: 1.56-2.71). A high body mass index was positively associated with asthma (e.g. 2005/2006 after poststratification, aOR: 1.12, 95%-CI: 1.05-1.20). Poststratification caused a significant change in the sample composition.

CONCLUSIONS: It might be suggested that a poststratification should be performed for each GME survey. Poststratification tended to make results more comparable with previous research. In accordance with previous research, this study confirmed that male sex and high BMI are associated with asthma.

PMID:33740566 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113718

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Stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Mar 16;117:107872. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107872. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to summarize the pooled prevalence of stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy in Ethiopia. A systematic search of articles was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Journal Storage (JSTOR). A standardized data extraction format was used to extract data. The analysis was conducted using STATA version 11 software. Cochrane Q statistic was used to assess the presence of significant between-study heterogeneity. I2 was used to quantify between-study heterogeneity. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was done. Subgroup analysis was conducted. Funnel plot, Begg’s test, and Egger’s regression tests were used to measure the presence of publication bias. Since the studies showed heterogeneity, the pooled estimated prevalence of stigma of people with epilepsy was conducted using DerSimonian-Laird’s random-effects model. The estimated pooled prevalence of stigma was 44.65(95%CI; 29.37-59.94). Begg’s rank correlation test (Z = 0.15, P = 0.881) and Egger’s linear regression test (t = 0.14, P = 0.894) showed the absence of publication bias. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of stigma were 6-10 years of duration of illness (p = 0.003), ≥11 years of duration of illness (p = 0.008), and ≥1/month of seizure frequency (p = 0.01). Comprehensive care that involves psychological, social, and medical components is required. Health education on effective coping mechanisms is recommended.

PMID:33740494 | DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107872